A19 closed after gas-powered van catches fire (From The Northern Echo)

A19 closed after gas-powered van catches fire near Northallerton

12:39pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

THE A19 has been closed near Northallerton after a van powered by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) caught fire.

The emergency services have closed the major route through North Yorkshire in both directions at Ellerbeck, near the junction with the A168.

They were called to the scene at midday, when a white LPG van caught fire. The van is not believed to have been involved in any traffic collision.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue say they expect the road to be closed until about 1.30pm.

It has been closed northbound and southbound between the A172 and A684.

Peter Hudson, from the fire service, said: “It’s a white van that runs off LPG so there’s a gas cylinder in there and so we’ve had to put a safety cordon out which goes over both carriageways.

“We have three pumps there now and a water bowser on its way as there’s not much water in that area for the pumps.”